39. Hettie
Chapter 39
Hettie
I t took us nearly three hours to get home. Multiple times throughout the trip, Rip’s complexion grew too pale for my liking, and I forced him to take a break. The stubborn man didn’t appreciate that, but I didn’t appreciate him nearly dying.
When we finally make it back, I usher him straight to the infirmary. The healers are waiting for us. A friendly healer offers to watch over Grass while we get tended to. Half of our group arrived before us, letting them know about the injured. By some miracle, enough beds and supplies are scrounged together.
Rip is given a private room. He all but collapses on the bed, and the healers are on him in an instant. A few bandage my wounds, but I’m quick to shoo them away so they can tend to my husband.
Two hours.
That’s how long they spend with Rip. My healing saved Rip from death, and the wolfsbane coursing through his system saved him from the curse, but his body went through a great ordeal. Lucielle sees to him personally, making sure he receives the proper care. I get the feeling I’m not supposed to be in the room while they work on him, but each time I try to leave, Rip growls and pulls me back to him. I give up trying to leave after that.
Soon, the room is blissfully empty, and Rip sleeps peacefully. My brain is still too wired to do more than stare at him and make sure he’s not in any pain.
“I know you’re watching me,” Rip says, causing me to jump. The bastard is supposed to be sleeping.
“Can you blame me?” I try to tease, but my words come out slightly hysterical.
Rip’s eyes flutter open, and he reaches for me, but I shake my head. “I shouldn’t…”
“Your mate needs you. Get into the damn bed, Dove.”
“You’re bossy when you’re near death,” I mumble, but I’m all too happy to climb into bed next to him. Truthfully, not being close or able to touch him is difficult. I fear losing him still and wonder if this feeling will ever go away.
“Hey,” he says gently, pulling me against his chest. I should chastise him because he doesn’t need my weight on him, but I have a feeling he wouldn’t listen.
“I’m okay,” he assures. “Because of you.”
“Because of Lucielle and the rest of the healers.”
“No. Because of you,” Rip repeats, voice firm. “You were the one to save me long enough to get me back here.”
“I still don’t know how I did it. Not really. Rose said to feel, and I did, but…nothing felt different. Shouldn’t you feel something when you use magic?”
Rip shrugs. “Not always. Sometimes it’s natural, and you won’t feel any changes. Everyone is different. We can look into it once I’m healed.”
Honestly, I’m not in a rush. There are more pressing issues than studying what magic I may or may not have. Like making sure we get the wolfsbane for the sick wolves now that we have access to the rogues’ stash.
Silence stretches between us. I think Rip has fallen back asleep until his arms tighten around me, and he says, “I’m sorry.”
He’s…sorry? “I don’t understand. Sorry for what?” I raise my head so I can look him in the eyes. He’s so damn handsome, even pale and roughed up like he is.
“For not listening to you or letting you explain why you left with Tallie. I was scared for my cousin and for your safety, but I shouldn’t have dismissed you like I did. And even after I was such an asshole to you, you still wanted to save this pack. You were willing to sacrifice yourself if that meant our safety.”
“You make me sound so brave.” Being brave was the last thing on my mind when I left. I just wanted to fix my mistakes. Give the pack a chance to survive.
Rip’s hand comes up to rest on my cheek. I lean into his touch. A touch I didn’t think I’d ever feel again. “You are brave, Hettie. The bravest woman I know. The pack owes you a life debt.”
“No, they don’t. We’re their leaders, aren’t we?” Rip nods slowly. “They trust us with their safety. I would do it again if it meant I could save them and you. I’m sorry too. I didn’t mean to break your trust or put Tallie in danger.”
“Let’s make a deal, Dove. No more running around sacrificing yourself or my cousin, and I’ll make sure I never shut you out again. Deal?”
“Deal.” I smile, and Rip brings his lips to mine. I sink into him and kiss him back. It only lasts a minute, though, before there’s a knock on the door.
“No fucking privacy in this damn infirmary.” Rip frowns. He looks so much like a little kid pouting that I can’t help but laugh.
“Come in!” I call, just as Rip says, “Go away.”
I playfully smack his chest and quickly regret it when I see him wince. “Sorry,” I murmur.
The door opens, and Thorne sticks his head in. He grins when he sees we are awake. “Care for some visitors?”
“No.”
“Rip, be nice,” I scold before addressing Thorne. “We would love a visitor.”
“Two, actually.” Thorne disappears behind the door again, and a moment later, it opens wide. He reaches for someone, and then Tallie walks into the room. Well, “walks” is putting it kindly. It’s more like a sluggish shuffle. Still, I gasp and roll out of bed.
“Tallie!” I cry happily, stopping a few feet in front of her. I want to wrap my arms around my friend, but she’s as pale as her cousin and seems to struggle with standing.
Thorne notices this too and takes her hand. “Sit, my Star.” He helps her into a chair.
She squeezes his hand and leans against him. “Thorne told me what happened. I don’t know if I want to be mad at you or congratulate you,” Tallie finally says.
“Both. Both is the appropriate response,” Rip pipes up from behind me.
I ignore him because I’m still stunned Tallie is even awake. “How?” That is the only the word I can say.
Luckily, Tallie understands my question. “Lucielle used the wolfsbane you found to cure me. I needed most of it, but a few others have also received treatment. You did that, Hettie. You saved us, and I’m so honored to call you my Luna and dearest friend. ”
Tears sting my eyes, and I’m moments away from ugly crying in front of these people I love. Tallie said I’m her best friend. I don’t think I’ve ever been anyone's best friend before.
“And more wolves will be cured in the next few days,” Thorne adds. “With the rogues and the Nephilim no longer on our land, we now have access to the wolfsbane growing in the rogue territory. A group of guards, along with two healers, are already en route to gather it. Enough to cure every sick wolf here.”
“That is…amazing.” This is exactly what I had hoped for when I left to find Michael. I just didn’t think I would be here to enjoy the after-effects.
“All thanks to you, Hettie.” Tallie smiles.
It wasn’t me. At least it wasn’t only me. Rip played a part in this. Rose and her dragons played a huge part in helping our wolves take down the rogues and Nephilim. So many people worked and fought for a cure and the safety of our pack.
And we succeeded.
“We won’t stay long. Tallie just wanted to see you both,” Thorne says. “She shouldn’t even be out of bed, but…” He shrugs. Clearly he was coerced into letting her come here.
“I just wanted to make sure my best friend and my cousin are okay. You’re okay, aren’t you?” Tallie directs her questions to Rip.
“I’m okay, Tallie. You’ll need to wish harder for me to disappear next time.”
“Oh, hush. You are infuriating, even injured.” Tallie rolls her eyes, but there’s relief in her features too.
Thorne picks Tallie up, holding her bridal-style. “We’ll check on you in the morning. Goodnight, Luna.” He bows his head and then turns to his best friend. “Glad you’re still with us, brother.”
“You and me both. Take care of her.” He inclines his head toward Tallie, who’s fighting sleep in Thorne’s arms.
“I will.” He carries her out of the room.
I’m grateful for Thorne and relieved that Tallie looks like she’s going to be okay. I still feel guilty for being the reason she’s in the hospital in the first place though. I don’t think that will ever change.
I don’t realize I’m swaying on my feet until Rip reaches out to steady me. “Come to bed, Hettie. It’s been a long few days.”
I don’t even remember the last time I slept. The adrenaline that has fueled me during all of this is finally fading, and sleep is calling, which is why I don’t protest getting back into the small bed.
Rip pulls the threadbare covers over us. It’s a far cry from our bed back home, but it’ll do for the night. He wraps me up in his arms, providing all the warmth I need. My eyes grow heavy, knowing I can’t fight sleep for much longer.
“Hettie?”
“Hmm?”
Even though I’m moments away from sleep, I hear the words Rip says clearly, “I love you, mate.”
He said it once before, but that’s when I thought he was dying. It’s different this time.
With the last bit of consciousness I possess, I say, “I love you too, Alpha.” And then I let sleep overtake me.